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La Fortaleza, San Juan, Puerto Rico – February 5, 2026 – Governor Jenniffer González-Colón today signed Executive Order 2026-006 establishing the Multisector Task Force for Fair and Equitable Federal Healthcare Funding, an initiative aimed at addressing Puerto Rico’s longstanding disparities in federal healthcare funding and strengthening the sustainability of the Island’s healthcare system ahead of upcoming Medicaid negotiations.

The Executive Order, which fulfills a commitment outlined in the Governor’s public policy agenda, recognizes that Puerto Rico’s territorial status has resulted in significant inequities in the funding of critical federal healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. These disparities have affected access to essential healthcare services, the recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals, and the fiscal stability of Puerto Rico’s healthcare system. The Order also highlights Puerto Rico’s exclusion from federal programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Medicare Savings Program, and Medicare Part D’s Extra Help subsidy, placing an additional financial burden on the Government of Puerto Rico and limiting the expansion of the Government Health Plan.

“Puerto Rico can no longer continue to receive unequal treatment in federal healthcare programs that are essential to the health and well-being of our people,” said Governor Jenniffer González-Colón. “Through this Executive Order, we are establishing a coordinated strategy to advocate before Congress and the federal government for fair, equitable, and sustainable healthcare funding for Puerto Rico, both before and beyond 2027.”

The Multisector Task Force will be responsible for developing strategies and recommendations to advance Puerto Rico’s parity in federal healthcare funding, coordinating advocacy efforts before Congress and the federal Executive Branch, evaluating applicable regulatory requirements, and working closely with the Governor to present a unified position on behalf of the Government of Puerto Rico.

The Executive Order designates representatives from the Government of Puerto Rico, the Resident Commissioner’s Office, the Island’s healthcare industry, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations as members of the Task Force.

The Executive Order further requires the Task Force to submit an initial report to the Governor within thirty (30) days of its formation outlining recommended strategies to achieve equitable federal healthcare funding for Puerto Rico.

The Order takes effect immediately. The Task Force’s first meeting is scheduled for Monday at 1:00 p.m.

As Resident Commissioner, Governor González-Colón successfully coordinated advocacy efforts across the public and private sectors to speak with one voice in support of Medicaid funding for Puerto Rico. These efforts contributed to securing a five-year extension of Medicaid funding in 2022 totaling approximately $19.4 billion, with a 76 percent Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). This represented an increase of approximately $300 million to $500 million annually compared to funding levels received in 2021, helping Puerto Rico address the impacts of inflation. The agreement also increased direct provider funding from $200 million to $300 million annually and guaranteed reimbursement rates of at least 75 percent of Medicare levels, up from 70 percent in previous years.

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